3 Wise Women of Cherokee County: Mavis Parrott, Carmen Dotson, Mary Gregg
By Deborah Burkett
As Christmas approaches I pondered what topic to choose for my December column. In 2011, I wrote of Christmas Eve 1849; told of pioneers traveling in covered wagons to settle in our county.
Christmas and the War of 1812 was my next holiday topic. I wanted to mark the 200th anniversary of the war as I, along with many in Cherokee County, paused to remember ancestors who fought.
This column will feature three women who have made an impact locally: Mavis Jones Parrott, Carmen Sales Dotson and Mary Haws Gregg. And since its Christmas, I deem them the three wise women. Each has touched my heart and their stories illustrate the strength women summon when life throws them a curve or two.
I talked with Mavis Parrott one day as we sat on her front porch in Reklaw. Her husband, Bill, was killed in a tractor accident and she was appointed District Clerk to finish his term. She then ran and was elected for the position in her own right. Old editions of the Cherokeean Herald contain photos of Mavis. One shows her loading the jury wheel in 1973-the first year 18-year old voters were included in the jury list. Judge Bascom Bentley remembers another time, "During the biggest capital murder trial in our county, I told Mavis that Hollywood was making a movie of the event. I convinced her Greggory Peck would play me and Elizabeth Taylor would assume her character…really had her going..." Mavis passed away at 93 years of age, 10/28/2015. Interesting to note, Mavis' granddaughter, Alison Parrott Dotson, works as the judges' secretary in the courthouse.
I first met Carmen Dotson while eating chicken spaghetti at the Rusk Methodist Church annual fundraiser. As I sat down at the table, someone tugged on my sleeve and pointed to a little lady who wanted to speak to me. Mrs. Dotson initially said she enjoyed my stories in the paper and she knew my mother. That got my attention because few people knew my mother, Emoline Langston, but I shouldn't have doubted Mrs. Dotson. She knew all my family; such a joy to sit with her and hear stories of the past, words of wisdom in every breath. Her future husband was basketball coach at Atoy the year my mother played there prior to her attending Rusk High. Mrs. Dotson, born February 11, 1919, still sings in the choir at the Methodist Church, lives at home, shops at Brookshire Brothers, goes to the beauty shop and has her own Facebook page!
Mary Gregg and I bonded while cleaning her ancestors' tombstones in Jarratt Cemetery. Mary's paternal grandparents (Haws) came to Cherokee County as pioneers; eventually her parents settled on Drip Rock Road. Mary definitely inherited her family's drive because she became a pioneer of sorts herself. In 1949, she began working in Jacksonville at Texas Bank and Trust Co. During her lengthy banking career Mary served as Exec VP and member of the Board of Directors, retiring in 1994. She also holds the distinction of being the first woman to serve on the county commissioners' court. She, like Mrs. Parrott, finished her husband's term and later ran and was elected in her own right. County Judge Chris Davis shared, "Mary is a true lady in everything she does…was always a pleasure to work with her…"
Just as the Magi brought gifts to the baby Jesus, these three women and many more in our county have given their talents freely and we are the beneficiaries. Their stories of hardship, persistence and optimism, as well as, their love of family inspire us all.
This holiday season tell the women in your family how much you value them.
(Special thanks to Marie Whitehead, Elizabeth McCutcheon and Butch Holcomb for introducing me to these women.)
Carmen Dotson
Mary Gregg
Mavis Parrott